Lymphedema treatment system

Abstract

A method of body manipulation in furtherance of treating lymphedema is provided. A wrap, adapted to fit about a body extremity and having a trunk region, and limb regions, and a plurality of compartments distributed throughout the regions, is provided and applied to the body extremity. Each of the compartments of the plurality of compartments are capable of selective pressurization and depressurization. The body extremity is prepared for receipt of lymph fluid via a first pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of the regions of the wrap, and lymph fluid is drained from the body extremity via a second pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of the regions of the wrap, whereby the lymphatic system is stimulated so as to promote readsorption of pooled lymph fluid within surrounding tissue.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08 / 843,023 filed on Apr. 11, 1997.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to apparatus and method for the treatment of lymphedema. More particularly it relates to a wrap having a series of bladders applied to the trunk of the body, wherein the bladders are compressed and decompressed on an individual basis to stimulate the lymphatic system. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] The lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues and is a secondary system within the circulatory system that removes waste. Unlike the closed-loop blood circulatory system, the lymphatic system works according to a one-way principal. That is, the lymphatic system is a drainage system to drain away lymph which continually escapes from the blood in small amounts. The lymph is first collected at the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The preferred embodiment may further comprise a wrap sized to wrap around a portion of the trunk of the body to receive and hold each one of the plurality of bladders within a corresponding one of a plurality of compartments. The plurality of bladders are held in an orientation to engage the trunk of the body and move pooled fluids within the lymphatic system either towards or away from specific lymph node groups which include the axillary node group, the pelvic node group or the groin node group. The orientation may be arcuate relative to the particular lymph node group. The wrap may maintain the plurality of bladders in a coextensive relationship such that each particular one of the plurality of bladders is adjacent to one or two other ones of the plurality of bladders. The wrap may be constructed of a stretchable material to accommodate expansion and contraction of the bladders as the bladders are sequentially pressurized and depressurized. The wrap may also limit the maximum diameter under pressurization of each one of the plurality of bladders within the plurality of compartments.

Problems solved by technology

Without proper drainage into the duct, lymphedema results.

The swelling causes pain, discomfort, disfigurement and interference with wound healing and, if left untreated, can cause fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a hardening of the tissue in the affected area which may further complicate the drainage process and can cause life-threatening conditions, such as infections.

This treatment is incomplete, however, because it treats the limb only and does nothing to actually move the fluid.

This treatment is also uncomfortable (and may be painful) and is not easily adaptable to the trunk of the body.

In application to the limb, this treatment may interfere with mobility.

This treatment approach, however, is incomplete because it treats the limb only.

This treatment approach may cause fibrosis or accumulation of fluids in non-affected areas.

The high pressure required to force the fluid along the system is uncomfortable or painful, while lower pressure devices result in an increase in therapeutic time.

Too much applied pressure will cause the lymph collectors to go into spasm.

This technique is effective but also expensive, however, as a person trained in the MLD technique is required to perform the massage therapy.

The result causes a deformation of the walls of the first chamber, and a slight increase in the internal pressure in this first chamber.

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